Checkdown Chatter

Well, as the dawn of the new season is upon us, its time to take an inventory of where everyone stands in relation to one another, and what can be expected heading into the 2010 campaign.

So, what follows is my take on each team’s relative strength – rest assured that these rankings are very dynamic, and its more just a scattered thought process right now, particularly until we see everyone on the field.

Parentheticals represent where they stood heading into the playoffs last year.

Last year's SuperBowl Rivals show no signs of regression heading into this year, and sit comfortably atop our power rankings heading into 2010.

1. Indianapolis Colts – (2) – I know they lost the big one, but until the SuperBowl this team won every game they tried to win last year, and I see no reason for a significant lapse heading into 2010. The offense is just as dangerous.

2. New Orleans Saints – (4) – And then there is the team that beat them. There hasn’t been a lot of noise out of New Orleans this offseason, but there wasn’t a whole lot that needed fixing. They’ll miss Sharper for the first 6 weeks and there are some other cogs on defense dealing with issues, but Brees & co. can score enough to pick up the slack.

3. Dallas Cowboys – (4) – The Cowboys are hard to bet against in the NFC East, with a great three headed running game that they reportedly know how to balance this season, and WR Dez Bryant who has to be an upgrade over Roy Williams on the oustide.

4. Green Bay Packers – (6) – This team made some important moves this offeseason, with protection for Rodgers (think of how dangerous he was last year while he spent most of it on his back) and some significant strides on defense. If the o-line manages to hold it together for the season, and the defense clamps down a little better (remember the 100 pt game vs. Arizona?, still fresh.. still hurts Pack fans) this team could take the NFC.

5. Minnesota Vikings - (5) – Favre is back for another kick at the can, but he’s lost his primary weapon. A maligned Percy Harvin and newly inked Greg Camarillo (a reliable receiver on 3rd down, yes) don’t inspire the same confidence as breakout star Sidney Rice. That said, they still have a very dangerous offense led by Favre/AP and the defense remains strong, particularly if Winfield et. al can rebound from injury.

6. New England Patriots – (8) – Not ready to count out the Pats, despite the awful playoff game against Baltimore. This team has an edge this year, and the last time they had that, they set all kindsa records. Brady is a man on a mission in camp, and the young defense has had another year to grow.

7. Baltimore Ravens (11) – Flacco entering his 3rd year, improved receiving corps, breakout star in Ray Rice and a high-end defense. That formula is enough to win a lot of ball games.

8. Atlanta Falcons (16) – Back to full health, with top notch players at the skill positions.

9. New York Jets (12) – The Jets could make a run at the AFC East this year. Would like this team a lot better with Revis concretely in the lineup, and Sanchez doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence.

10. San Diego Chargers (1) – loss (potentially season, certainly 6 games) of V-Jax doesn’t necessarily warrant the significant drop, but I like this team a lot better with a true #1 receiver.

11. Cincinatti Bengals (10) – The schedule gets a lot tougher, but the Bengals have gotten a lot deeper. Can Benson hold up to the workload again, or will Palmer and the WRs take some of the load this year? Regardless, this team rests with its defense and needs continued strong play to contend.

12. Houston Texans (13) – I liked this team a whole lot down the stretch this year, at the time, I think they deserved to get into the dance a lot more than everyone’s playoff darlings the New York Jets. Its tough playing in Indy’s division, but the pieces are all in place for Houston.

13. Miami Dolphins (21) – the upgrade at WR is significant, and should be enough to put Chad Henne on the QB radar.

14. San Francisco 49ers (22) – Kurt Warner’s retirement has handed this team the NFC West, as far as I’m concerned. It will be up to Alex Smith’s continued development to hang onto it. The defense is a lock.

15. New York Giants (18) – The Giants can only hope that health, and coordinator changes can revamp this defense. They can’t win with the unit they had in place last year. Eli and the offense showing promise, and if Brandon Jacobs comes back healthy and dominant, they’ll have no worries moving the ball.

16. Tennessee Titans (15) – this team could easily rank higher based on the last 2.5 months of ‘09. With Vince Young starting to look like an NFL quarterback, and without an 0-6 hole to start them out, the Titans could make some noise this season. They also have a guy who can handle the ball in the backfield, you may have heard of him.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers (14) – All the focus on losing Holmes, and 4 games without Roethlisberger makes us forget that this defense wasn’t anything to write home about for most of last year either. The first four games are vital.

18. Philladelphia Eagles (7) – The Eagles are too dangerous to be in the middle of the pack, and I don’t think Kolb will turn out to be a big downgrade (if at all) from McNabb, but I’d like to see him with a few regular season games under his belt before I ramp up the Eagles. A great young nucleus of players here though.

19. Arizona Cardinals (9) – Well, so much for the Leinart era. This team lost a whole lot at QB, and some big pieces of its underrated defense, will be very tough to repeat as division champs.

20. Denver Broncos (20) – I’m nowhere near Denver and Josh McDaniels still makes me nervous. I have no faith in his revamped roster, not this season at least.

21. Chicago Bears (19) – The Bears finished ‘09 hot and have an exciting new offensive system for ‘10. I wasn’t ready to just bash on Martz as a quarterback killer from the outset, but 9 sacks in 2 (brief) preseason appearances by Cutler recently leaves me a little anxious. Bears football will be fun this season though.

22. Carolina Panthers (17) – The preseason has been awful for the two headed Panthers rush attack, and without them, there is a lot (too much) pressure on Moore behind centre. If they can get it straightened out, there are a handful of wins to be had here, but it looks to me like Carolina is playing for 3rd place this year.

23. Washington Redskins (28) – McNabb is an upgrade over Campbell, for a year or two anyway, but the Redskins just keep spending free agent $ with no results, he’s not enough to make them a contender.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars (23) – If you’re just looking at this team’s record from last season, you’re not getting the full picture. 7-9 isn’t all that bad, and they were sniffing playoffs at one (long forgotten) point. But this team played no defense, and a passing game led by David Garrard is bland at best.

25. Detroit Lions (31) – I’m a bit overzealous in my Lions appreciation this year, I realize they were 2-14 in 09, and 0-16 not all that long ago, but I think they may do better than a 2 game improvement this season. Stafford can throw the ball, Best is electric. The defense still won’t intimidate anyone, but Suh helps.

26. Cleveland Browns (24) – I think Delhomme helps this team at QB. I’m sure a handful of interceptions early will prove my wrong, but there is nowhere to go but up from the ‘09 season…. plus, they managed to win 5 games last year.

27. Oakland Raiders (29) – Jason Campbell is a big help here. Still a weird preseason with roster moves, cuts, Al Davisness. The Raiders continue to show their dysfunction, but they’ve got some skill on defense and now boast an average NFL quarterback. Things are looking up.

28. Seattle Seahawks (28) – I don’t see the Houshmandzadeh release as a surprise, but it is certainly a sign that this organization is rebuilding. I hope Whitehurst uses this year as a good opportunity to learn and comes in ready to play in ‘11, because Hasslebeck is on his way out. In fact, he wouldn’t have a shot at starting for many other teams right now, in my eyes.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (29) – Josh Freeman’s first full year at the helm, and he’s got a great rookie receiver to throw to. That’s about all Bucs fans have to look forward to this year, wins might be few and far between.

30. Kansas City Chiefs (26) – I don’t see their defense getting a whole lot better, and Matt Cassel proved that he isn’t the quarterback he looked like in the New England mirage. I don’t see any real signs of improvement in the offseason, either.

31. Buffalo Bills (25) – This team has 3 above average running backs, and 0 competent quarterbacks. CJ Spiller might contrinute, this year and in the future, but this team won’t win without someone to move the chains through the air.

32. St. Louis Rams (32) – Sam Bradford is ahuge investment. Lets hope the improved offensive line can keep him on his feet and safe. I don’t see a whole lot of upside to the 2010 season, particularly with Donnie Avery now lost for the season.

Yes, the title is two years two old, and well past its humour expiration date… but give me a break, I haven’t written anything in 6 months and I’m easing my way back in with a well used line.

It took a little longer than usual this year, life has been busy, work sucks, the usual, but I’ve fully caught NFL fever just in time for fantasy draft season and the opener on Thursday night.

As always, the 2011 NFL season is bringing with it lots of intrigue, and there are lots of interesting storylines to keep up with. I’ve decided today to enlighten you with a list of those things I’m looking forward to most.

• Fantasy Football.
  This is an obvious for most true fans, but it seems to me like the fantasy football hype is higher than ever, and most leagues are trying interesting new things, PPR, IDP, I’m in my first keeper league (first season where we keep guys, that is) this year and there are some interesting rule tweaks in all my leagues to really get you thinking.
• The 2011 rookie class.
  There are lots of potential impact players at all positions, but I’m particularly interested in seeing how RBs Jahvid Best and Ryan Mathews fare, (sorry, Montario, your hype is on hold). Mathews has some big shoes to fill in San Diego, replacing inner circle Hall of Fame candidate LaDainian Tomlinson, but he’s been handed the starting job for a reason, and Norv has a way of producing successful running backs. Then there is Best, who, I admit I’ve only seen about 5 minutes of in preseason, but I loved every minute of it. This guy can run, and is part of a young nucleus of players in Detroit that has a real chance to make some noise. Make no mistake, I’m not calling for the Lions in the playoffs, but I’m predicting them to be in a lot more games than they are out this year.

How big of an impact Jahvid Best will have in Detroit is still unknown, but he's a definite upgrade over Kevin Smith.

• Division races.
  Of course, it’s every team’s goal to improve in the offseason, but it sure seems to me like a lot of the middle ground teams are making some big leaps heading into ‘11 while the top tier is sticking with status quo. I’m not ready to hand division titles to anyone at the outset of the season. Well… lets be honest, its hard to pick any of the lowly AFC West gang to upset the Chargers, but, all other titles are up for grabs. Of particular interest, the AFC East with both the Jets (assuming they can welcome back Revis, and even still if not) and Dolphins making big leaps. I love me some Patriots, but that is going to be a tough division to come out of this year. I’d be shocked if the Cardinals manage to hang on in the NFC West too, after losing Warner, and Boldin and many cogs on defense. And even in the NFC East, are the Redskins finally ready to make some noise? If so, and if the Giants defense makes some improvement, we’ve got a legitimate 4 team race.
• The Green Bay Packers.
  Lots to love here, a very exciting football team with skill at every spot. Lots of people picking them early for the SuperBowl, and I’d be inclined to agree – but we have to see some significant steps in QB protection, and overall defense if they are going to get there. Still, this team is ready and every game will be exciting. If nothing else, the Packers will be producing some very watchable football this season.

Packers: contenders or pretenders? Most would side with the former, but either way, there will be 16+ action packed football games featuring the Pack this year.

• My first live game.
  Things are different North of the border, ok? I finally caught my first CFL game this year, and even with its inferior players, inferior rules, and general crapiness by comparison I had an AWESOME time. With passport in hand and the border nearby, I have no excuse not to be in Buffalo on at least one Sunday. Its the Bills, I know, but its still live football.

I doubt I'll be cheering for the home team... but just to be at the game...

That’s not necessarily the top 5, just a random spewing of thoughts, but the point is… I’m excited, like all of you for 2011, and can’t wait to get the season underway!

The moments preceding the image above, and those to follow, set off a great chain of events that may redefine my country as I know it. A pride of patriotism sweeps across Canada like I've never felt, and among other things, last night this NFL fan had his Super Bowl moment. (Credit Getty Images)

Living in Canada, I’ve often watched the NFL’s biggest game, and lamented that I would never know the experience of having my home team win the Super Bowl and bring the trophy home. Alas, I’ll still have to live without the euphoria but I’ll continue to love the game.

As a resident of the great white north (or, more accurately Canada’s answer to New York, a city not-so-affectionately referred to as the big smoke rather than an ice-box community of igloos, I’ll have to settle for the Grey Cup – which no true NFL fan can tolerate, or, I’ll settle for hockey.

Naturally, I grew up playing and following our national pastime, among other pursuits, and there is little doubt that hockey is the nation’s game much like football and/or baseball, depending on which side of the argument you are on, is America’s game. I’m an avid hockey fan, I don’t watch all 82 regular season games, but I follow along and earn my Canadian stripes in the playoffs, but truly, there is nothing like watching your national team compete on hockey’s highest stage.

That’s why, last night, as the story book hero, the kid who was once a polarizing figure on the ice, and now is without a doubt the sports hero of the nation, I felt it. Due to a number of circumstances I watched the game in humble surroundings – my apartment, with my girlfriend, and the cats. I still felt the heartbeat of the nation stop, and resume again at 7:40 of the extra frame.

That’s all well and good, it was a fitting end to an Olympic Games that I feel Canada did an excellent job in – both as organizers, and competitors. In fact, it was (although not the prettiest) the greatest goal I have witnessed in my 20ish years as a hockey fan. I’m a young man, so I don’t have summit series, and ‘87 Canada Cup memories, but I’ve now got a great memory of a 22 year old kid, with the weight of the nation on his shoulders, cementing his legacy as one of this country’s greatest- with 15 good years left in his skates.

But, that isn’t the moment. My Super Bowl moment came afterwards. At 7:30 pm (Eastern) right around 2 hours after the fateful goal, I found myself on the world’s largest street – Yonge Street, in Toronto – some 3000-4000 kilometers (I’ve earned the right today, as a Canadian not to put the mileage reference in parentheses) and well out of the downtown core, and the scene was memorable. The sidewalks, the middle of the street, passing cars with bodies flung out of them, were awash in Red and White. I have never known a prouder moment as a patriot, and I doubt I ever will. The scene was nuts, horns honking wildly, and in rhythm, passerby high fiving strangers – from one car window to another. Traffic was stalled, but no one cared, it was a sea of good will, of shared experience, of pride in ones country, and I’ll never experience anything like it again. Last night, I had my Canadian Super Bowl – and then some!

After 9 seasons LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers will part ways, it was announced Feb 22.

Well, that’s it, LT is electric glide-in’ out of San Diego.

We knew it was coming, but today its official, the Chargers have released one of the greatest backs in NFL history. Tomlinson leaves the Chargers in possession of the single season touchdown record, an MVP trophy (‘06), two rushing crowns, career #2 in rushing TDs, #3 in total touchdowns and a slew of other accolades. What he doesn’t have is a SuperBowl title.

As San Diego gears up for next years’ SuperBowl run without their top rusher, they also realize Darren Sproles can’t carry the load as a number one back either, so their left without a true lead rusher, and are apparently willing to part with Antonio Cromartie to find one.

Things aren’t clear for Tomlinson either, who thinks (though his YPC average last season may suggest otherwise) he’s got a few years left in the tank at 30. Someone will likely give him a shot to prove so, but its doubtful he’ll be the #1 back anywhere next year.

Either way – a great career, and great success in bringing San Diego football to prominence. Now, there can be no arguments – this is Phillip Rivers’ team, and its up to him to lead the Chargers to post season success.

While football fans are no doubt feeling a void this weekend, its time to take back your Sunday's. Seize the day.

That’s right folks, there are about 6.5 months  until next NFL season kicks off. Like most fans, I’m disappointed to not have my Sunday plans laid out ahead of time this week (we’re celebrating Valentines today, my girlfriend works tomorrow… I didn’t forget), but, I’m realizing that I now have 30 Sunday’s with which to accomplish many things between now and next Sunday.

No longer will I have to rush to get all the shopping done Saturday afternoon so that I am free by 1pm Sunday, no longer will I decline social engagements to stay home on the couch, no longer… you get the idea. My Sunday’s are mine again, not Roger Goodell’s.

Not that I plan to accomplish anything significant… I’m looking at starting a flag football league on Sunday’s this summer, so thus, I will again be occupied by football, and otherwise, I’ll probably follow the same ole routine, but the point is, although I’m disappointed to be football-less this weekend, at least I’m free.

Carpe Diem football fans, make the most of your new 30 days of freedom.

A lot of things had to go right for the Saints to win last night, and a lot did. They all started with coach Sean Payton and his determined playcalling. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Drew Brees played a great – if not flawless – game on Sunday, completing his final 10 passes, and throwing only a handful of incompletions while completing a (tied for) Super Bowl record 32 passes. There is little doubt that he was integral to New Orleans’ victory and he definitely deserves his Super Bowl MVP trophy.

But, I think it has to be said that if coaches could be considered, Payton with an A would be in the running. Earlier this season I dropped a ‘play the game for real’ tag on Bill Belichick for his brazen, like he’s just playing Madden where punting/kicking/play calling is unnecesseary, I’ve got to commend Payton for doing the same – and for getting away with it.

Look at the end of the first half where Payton showed guts and belief in his team by going for a (failed) 4th down try for a touchdown to tie the game. The playcall was gutsy, and didn’t work out, but the clock management that followed – waiting for the 1st timeout which ensured the Colts didn’t have time to march down the field and would necessarily just try to run out the clock, which caused their 3 and out, and the resulting pre-half field goal was a thing of beauty. A lot of that was defensive execution and precision passing/clutch kicking, but give Payton and the staff credit for managing the sitaution – at least after the failed 4th down plunge – admirably… even the playcall after spending the last timeout to ensure the clock would run out on the 4th down field goal try was impressive – and it took Stones.

(Take note, there would later be a converted 4th and 2 around midfield that evoked the comment: Somewhere Bill Belichick is rolling in his 2009 football grave).

Then, following the momentum built on the last play of the half the Saints came out at halftime and converted a successful onside kick. Frankly, as much as Porter’s pick 6 or the impressive passing run Brees went on to close this game out, this is the play that won the game. We’re looking at an entirely different ball game if New Orleans throws it deep and Indianapolis marches the field and even knocks in a field goal (an all but foregone conclusion the way they were moving the ball early in this one). The gang at PFT and the players involved agree.

If that kick fails, there is probably public outcry… but, it didn’t. It took guts, and with guts come glory.

Congrats to Meaney for taking the overall championship, and Kevin Chu for killing the rest of the pack this week.

Playstub
————

QB: Manning 17.32
WR: Wayne 4.6, Colston 8.3, Meachem .6
RB: Bush 6.3, Addai 19.5
TE: Clark 8.6
K: Hartley 11

Total = 76.22

Chu
—–

QB – Brees 23.42

WR – Wayne 4.6, Colston 8.3, Garcon 12.6

RB – Addai 19.5, Thomas 14.5

TE – Clark 8.6

K – Hartley 11

Total – 102.52

Cox
—–

QB – Manning 17.32

WR – Collie 6.6, Wayne 4.6, Meachem .6

RB – Addai 19.5, Thomas 14.5

TE – Clark 8.6

K – Stover 5
Total = 76.72

Meaney
————

QB – Manning 17.32

WR – Wayne 4.6, Colston 8.3, Garcon 12.6

RB – Bush 6.3, Thomas 14.5

TE – Clark 8.6

K – Stover 5

Total = 77.22

Checkdown
————-

QB – Manning 17.32

WR – Wayne 4.6, Colston 8.3, Garcon 12.6

RB – Bush 6.3, Thomas 14.5

TE – Clark 8.6

K – Stover 5

Total = 77.22

It’s me. I failed @ our playoff contest, but thanks to the tiebreak over Mr. Cox 13 points was good enough to get it done.

For those that know me my love of the Jiggaman is not exactly a hidden fact… so, this is a bit biased, but the video to start this game ranks right up there as one of the best (definitely best non-athletic) memories I have of football’s big game.

Jay, and his music have been featured a lot in the NFL this year, and he’s no stranger to the Super Bowl either.

Loved it!

Very weak, brief article about his appearance here.

… in other news, its almost game time and Freeney is prowling (sort of) the sidelines for the Colts.